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Warwickshire out-of-hours

Time to stop biting your nails

May 21 2020

At this unusual moment in time, some of us maybe resorting to bad habits that we don’t usually do, including nail biting.

Nail biting is a common habit that can be triggered by overstimulation and feelings of anxiety.  Biting your nails can have some nasty risks, such as:

  • Damage the skin around the nail

  • Increase the risk of catching a cold or other infections by spreading germs from your fingers to your mouth

  • Harm your teeth

So how do I resist the urge to bite my nails? There’s a few simple ways you can help beat this habit and have pristine nails:

  1. Paint your nails

Biting your nails with nail polish on leaves a strong and chemical taste in your mouth that you will want to avoid. There are specific polishes to help you stop biting your nails that have a particularly stronger taste. They’re also clear so it doesn’t look like you’re wearing any nail polish.

  1. Note every time you bite your nails

Sometimes when we have a bad habit, our mind isn’t aware that we’re even doing it. Think about when you’re most likely to bite your nails and why you do it then. For example, you might be anxious when watching the news so in result you bite your nails. Knowing why we have these habits can help get to the core of stopping them.

  1. Keep a nail kit with you at all times

Instead of gnawing your nails off, trim them properly with nail clippers or file them down. You’ll also be able to see whether they need to be cut instead of chewing off what is left of them.

  1. Replace the habit

If you find you’re a fidgeter try playing with a fidget spinner or chew on gum to keep you busy.

  1. Try wearing gloves

If you’re really struggling, put on a pair of gloves so that there is no temptation at all!

We hope that these tips will help you to stop biting your nails and get you motivated to cut out that bad habit!